Stellantis' $10 Billion Bet Might Revive V8 Muscle Cars | Carscoops

      Stellantis plans to invest approximately $10 billion in its US operations, with a focus on strengthening the Jeep brand and potentially expanding Chrysler.

      The company believes that emphasizing Jeep, Dodge, and possibly Chrysler will enhance profitability. Reports suggest that a V8-powered Dodge muscle car is under consideration.

      Stellantis has devised a fresh strategy to improve profits, and a significant aspect of this involves revisiting past successes. The automaker intends to allocate $10 billion for its US divisions, with some funds possibly facilitating the return of a V8 muscle car to Dodge’s offerings.

      According to Bloomberg, Stellantis's management, led by new CEO Antonio Filosa, is expected to unveil $5 billion in new funding for North American operations this week. This funding adds to an existing $5 billion already designated for Stellantis’s US activities. The company believes this sector is most likely to restore overall business health, especially after former CEO Carlos Tavares prioritized European markets.

      Reports indicate that Jeep is at the forefront of brands set to benefit from this new funding, while Chrysler may undergo a more significant revival beyond just a couple of outdated minivans. However, the element of the strategy that is likely to excite enthusiasts is the potential introduction of a “new Dodge V8 muscle car.”

      This isn’t the first time plans for a new Dodge V8 model have surfaced, with many anticipating that it will be the new Charger coupe and sedan, although Bloomberg's sources did not provide detailed information.

      Last year, Dodge stated that the older Hemi V8 from the now-discontinued Challenger and previous Charger generations would not fit in the engine bay of the new Charger, which is designed for the Stellantis STLA Large platform and configured to accommodate either Hurricane inline six-cylinder engines or electric motors. However, this summer, Dodge CEO Matt McAlear hinted that it might fit, stating, “Don’t be surprised if it would fit.”

      The Charger Daytona EV has not performed well, and while there is significant interest in the Hurricane combustion Chargers, many fans would undoubtedly prefer a V8. Although initially not part of the plan, the relaxation of emissions standards under the Trump administration makes this option more viable.